11 Female Anime Side Characters Who Stole the Show

Despite often serving as plot devices for the main female protagonists, female side characters are a fascinating component of anime. In fact, some of these supporting characters effortlessly capture the attention and admiration of fans.

This situation tends to occur when the primary female characters are not heavily involved in the plot or their personalities are overshadowed by the vivacity and cheerfulness of the supporting characters, which tend to be more appealing to the fandom.

It is not uncommon for certain anime to feature such scenarios, and this article highlights 10 standout female side characters who outshined the main female leads as the top female characters in their respective anime series.

This article solely reflects the opinions of the author.

Female Anime Side Characters Who Stole the Show

Maki Zenin: The Powerful Sorcerer of Jujutsu Kaisen

Maki as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Maki Zenin, the upcoming first-grade sorcerer at Jujutsu High, is among the female supporting characters in the anime who captivated viewers more than the main female character, Kugisaki Nobara.

Despite the difficulty in determining who is stronger, Maki’s charisma and fighting style have led to her becoming a fan favorite. Furthermore, her role in the Shibuya, Culling Game, and Shinjuku Showdown arcs has only further solidified her popularity.

Character Profile: Hayasaka Ai from Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Hayasaka as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Hayasaka, the caretaker of Shinomiya Kaguya, is a supporting character in Kaguya-sama and one of the female side characters in the anime who outshone her master. Despite being just slightly older than Kaguya, Hayasaka’s maturity surpasses that of the female protagonist who expects everything to be handed to her.

In addition, Hayasaka’s down-to-earth personality is a rarity in this industry, making her one of the most beloved female supporting characters in anime.

Saegusa Mayumi: The Irregular at Magic High School

Mayumi as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

Despite being overshadowed by the female lead Miyuki in the series, Saegusa Mayumi remains a standout character as the former Student Council President of the First High School and one of the dominant female side characters. Her vibrant personality and cheerful demeanor make her truly unique and remarkable.

Despite the series’ focus on Miyuki being the ideal partner for male protagonist Shiba Tatsuya, the majority of fans are drawn to the idea of Mayumi becoming his future. However, it is worth noting that Mayumi, like Miyuki, is a child prodigy and one of the most skilled fighters in The Irregular at Magic High School.

Rangiku Matsumoto – Character from Bleach

Rangiku as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Rangiku, the lieutenant of the 10th Division in the Soul Society, is not only one of the most powerful characters in Bleach, but also one of the female supporting characters who captivated the audience, outshining even the main protagonist, Orihime.

Without a doubt, the female characters in Bleach are both stunning, however, Rangiku surpasses Orihime as the preferred female character due to Orihime’s forgetful personality and juvenile demeanor. While Rangiku’s true strength is yet to be revealed in the anime, she is already a beloved character among fans.

Olivier Mira Armstrong – The Strong Female Character of Fullmetal Alchemist

Olivier Armstrong as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

As the main heir of the Armstrong family, Olivier Armstrong is a formidable character in the series and one of the female anime side characters who commands attention in their respective series.

Despite her role as a mechanic and lack of involvement in the central plotline, Winry is the true female protagonist of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. On the other hand, Olivier’s fearless nature is one of the reasons why she is often considered the standout character and “best girl”of the series.

Shinobu Kocho – Demon Slayer Character

Shinobu as seen in the anime (Image via Ufotable)

Shinobu Kocho, who is the Insect Hashira and one of the most powerful demon slayers in the series Demon Slayer, has also become a prominent figure among female anime side characters since her first appearance.

During the battle against one of the Upper Moon Demons, the most powerful demons, she made her first appearance. Her impressive abilities showcased during this encounter quickly gained her a dedicated fan base, surpassing even the female lead, Nezuko Kamado.

Rebecca’s Role in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Rebecca as seen in the anime (Image via Trigger)

Rebecca, a female anime side character, gained recognition for her raucous and untamed personality. She is a member of the main protagonist David’s crew and stands out as one of the supporting female characters, overshadowing the female lead Lucy.

Despite her smaller screen time compared to other members of David’s crew, Rebecca’s every appearance was highly anticipated by fans. They were eager to witness her wild fighting style in action. In contrast, Lucy was a more calculated and strategic fighter. In David’s final battle, Rebecca played a crucial role and ensured that none of David’s efforts went to waste.

Momo Belia Deviluke – Character Profile (To Love Ru)

Momo Deviluke as seen in the anime (Image via Xebec)

Momo Deviluke, the sister of the female lead Lala Deviluke, is widely regarded as the standout character of To Love Ru. Although she was not introduced until after the first season, she received significantly less screen time compared to the female lead.

Her contributions to the central plot and her charming personality as a mature young woman captured the hearts of the fandom, solidifying her as one of the standout female side characters in the anime.

9) Character Introduction: Carol Olsten (Tomo-chan is a Girl!)

Carol as seen in the anime (Image via Lay-Duce)

Carol, the best female side character in Tomo-chan is a Girl!, greatly enhanced the enjoyability of the show. While Tomo, the female lead, was mainly focused on winning over the male protagonist, Jun, Carol stood out as the best female character.

Despite this, Carol’s lively personality brought laughter and happiness to everyone’s day. Her playful demeanor solidified her as one of the standout female anime side characters, capturing the hearts of fans.

10) Captain Hibana from Fire Force

Captain Hibana as seen in the anime (Image via David Productions)

Despite only making a few appearances in the anime series, Hibana, captain of the Special Fire Force Company 5, has managed to steal the show as one of the standout female side characters.

Out of all the female leads in the show, Tamaki is arguably the most popular among fans. However, Hibana slightly edges out Tamaki as the fan-favorite female character in the series. This is largely due to her mature appearance and distinct third-generation pyrokinetic abilities.

11) Characters: Rumi Usagiyama/Mirko (My Hero Academia)

Mirko as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

Mirko, the character that caught the attention of the fandom in her debut, is a female anime side character who outshone the female lead in her show.

Despite the controversy surrounding discussions about the female lead of the show, Mirko stands out as one of the strongest female heroes, among a plethora of female protagonists. She made her first appearance in season 4 of My Hero Academia, and despite being introduced late in the plot, she has become a fan-favorite among the female anime side characters in her series.